Nothing Phone (2a) Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Network Technology
- Supported Technologies: GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G
Launch
- Announced: March 5, 2024
- Status: Available, Released March 12, 2024
Body
- Dimensions: 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)
- Weight: 190 g (6.70 oz)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
- SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
- Other Features:
- IP54 (splash, water, and dust resistant)
- 3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones)
Display
- Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typical), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
- Size: 6.7 inches (~108.0 cm²), ~87.6% screen-to-body ratio
- Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Other Features: Always On Display
Platform
- Operating System: Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
- GPU: Mali-G610 MC4
Memory
- Card Slot: No
- Internal Storage and RAM:
- 128GB 8GB RAM
- 256GB 8GB RAM
- 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
- Dual Camera:
- 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
- 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
- Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
- Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera
- Single Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2 (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
- Features: HDR
- Video: 1080p@60fps
Sound
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm Jack: No
Communications
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
- NFC: Yes, 360˚
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features
- Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
- Other Features: Circle to Search
Battery
- Type: 5000 mAh
- Charging: 45W wired (50% in 23 minutes, 100% in 1 hour)
Miscellaneous
- Colors: Black, White, Milk, Blue
- Model: A142
- Price: ₹21,195 / $359.99 / £238.15 / €304.00
Performance Tests
- AnTuTu: 578493 (v9), 684574 (v10)
- GeekBench: 2184 (v5), 2592 (v6)
- 3DMark: 1151 (Wild Life Extreme)
Display
- Max Brightness: 981 nits (measured)
Loudspeaker
- Loudness: -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Battery (New)
- Active Use Score: 15:53h
Design and Display :
The Nothing Phone (2) continues the company's signature transparent design, making it one of the most visually striking smartphones on the market. The back of the phone is transparent and features elaborate LED lighting, which is the highlight of the Glyph interface. Not only is this design a conversation starter, it also serves a functional purpose. The LEDs can be customized to light up for various notifications, alerts, and charging status. This was an innovative feature on the original Nothing Phone (1), and the Phone (2) refines the idea further by providing more control over lighting patterns and interactions, making it as eye-catching as it is functional.
On the front, the Nothing Phone (2) features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel supports Full HD+ resolution, making it ideal for watching content, gaming, and multitasking. Thanks to OLED technology, the phone delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, so it can withstand everyday wear and tear.
The edges of the phone are made from aluminum, giving it a premium feel while balancing weight and durability. The design also includes rounded edges, making it easy to hold despite its large size.
Performance :
Inside the Nothing Phone (2) is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which offers a significant performance boost over its predecessor, which was equipped with the Snapdragon 778G+. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a top-of-the-line processor with improved speed, power efficiency, and GPU performance. It can easily handle demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
The phone is available in multiple configurations, including 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, ensuring smooth performance and plenty of space for apps, media, and other data. The internal storage uses the UFS 3.1 standard, which improves read and write speeds.
The gaming performance of the phone (2) is boosted by the Adreno 730 GPU, which delivers smooth graphic rendering in titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, and Asphalt 9. The phone's thermal management has also been improved to prevent it from overheating during long gaming sessions.
Camera System :
The Nothing Phone (2) features an impressive dual-camera setup on the back with a primary 50MP wide-angle sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. This is an improvement over the previous generation, which had a 48MP primary camera. The primary camera features an f/1.8 aperture, which captures more light for better performance in low light. The ultra-wide sensor with a 114-degree field of view makes it easy to capture expansive landscapes and group shots.
The 50MP primary sensor uses a Sony IMX890 sensor for crisp details and improved color accuracy. The 50MP ultra-wide camera is powered by the Samsung JN1 sensor, known for its wide-angle clarity and minimal distortion. The camera system also supports 4K video recording at 30/60 frames per second and 1080p video recording at 30/60 frames per second, with HDR10+ support for improved video quality.
On the front, Nothing Phone (2) features a 32MP selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout. This front camera can take high-resolution selfies and supports 4K video recording.
Software and Features :
The Nothing Phone (2) features an impressive dual-camera setup on the back with a primary 50MP wide-angle sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. This is an improvement over the previous generation, which had a 48MP primary camera. The primary camera features an f/1.8 aperture, which captures more light for better performance in low light. The ultra-wide sensor with a 114-degree field of view makes it easy to capture expansive landscapes and group shots.
The 50MP primary sensor uses a Sony IMX890 sensor for crisp details and improved color accuracy. The 50MP ultra-wide camera is powered by the Samsung JN1 sensor, known for its wide-angle clarity and minimal distortion. The camera system also supports 4K video recording at 30/60 frames per second and 1080p video recording at 30/60 frames per second, with HDR10+ support for improved video quality.
On the front, Nothing Phone (2) features a 32MP selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout. This front camera can take high-resolution selfies and supports 4K video recording.
Software and Features :
One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone (2) is the company's software experience. It runs on Nothing OS, a heavily customized version of Android that offers an experience that is almost like the original. The operating system is simple and easy to use, with custom widgets, unique icons, and smooth animations. It offers a virtually bloatware-free experience, ensuring that the system runs as efficiently as possible. The smartphone (2) also gets long-term software support with three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, making it a good investment for users who want a device that will stay up to date for several years.
Nothing OS also integrates well with the growing ecosystem of Nothing devices, including the Nothing Ear (2) earphones and the Nothing Phone (2) itself. Features like seamless device switching, customizable notifications, and easy pairing between devices create a more consistent user experience.
Battery and Charging :
The Nothing Phone (2) is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, which is enough to get most users through a full day of normal use. Battery performance is optimized through the efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and software optimizations within Nothing OS.
In terms of charging, the Phone (2) supports 45W fast charging over USB-C, which can charge from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes. The phone also supports 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge other devices such as smartphones. B. The wireless earphones can be charged from the back of the phone. Wireless charging is supported at 15W, making it convenient for users who want to charge their devices without cables.
Connectivity :
The Nothing Phone (2) offers all the essential connectivity options. It offers 5G support on sub-6GHz and mmWave bands, ensuring fast and reliable data speeds in areas with 5G coverage. Other features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GPS for location tracking. Additionally, it is rated IP53 for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand light splashes of water, but is not completely waterproof.
Conclusion :
The Nothing Phone (2) is a blend of style, performance and innovation. With its unique transparent design, robust build, flagship-level performance and feature-rich camera system, it stands out as a true contender in the premium smartphone space. The phone also excels in software, delivering a near-original Android experience with an emphasis on simplicity and fluidity. Whether you're a tech enthusiast looking for something different or someone looking for a powerful device with an innovative design, the Nothing Phone (2) is definitely worth considering.
